Effect of functional sports on children s spatial awareness aged 6-8 years / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To examine the effect of functional sports training on the development of spatial awareness in children aged 6-8 years old,to provide a reference to improve children s ability of spatial sense.@*Methods@#A class of 125 children aged 6-8 years from first, second, and third grades of an elementary school in Zhengzhou City were conveniently selected by stratified random sampling, who were divided into the experimental group ( n =62) and the control group ( n =63) by random number tables. The experimental group received functional sports intervention for 8 weeks,3 times a week,20 min each time, and the control group received traditional sports game program.@*Results@#After the intervention,the error values of depth perception, orientation perception, and space perception in the experimertal group of 6 and 7 year old children reduced by 1.98 cm, 2.88°, and 22.00 cm (6 year old children) and 1.61 cm, 2.34°, and 17.99 cm (7 year old children) compared with the control group, respectively. Compared with those in the control group of 8 year old after the intervention, and the differences were of statistical signifiance( t =-3.07, -2.94, -3.07 ; -3.25, -3.29, -3.15, P <0.01). There was no significant difference in the error values of depth perception, orientation perception and space perception between the experimental group and the control group after intervention ( P >0.05). In the experimental group, the error values of depth perception, orientation perception and space perception reduced by 2.30 cm, 3.88°, 28.05 cm (6 year old children), 2.16 cm, 2.15°, 17.45 cm (7 year old children) and 1.16 cm, 1.81°, 9.10 cm (8 year old children) in children aged 6-8 years after intervention, significant improvement were observed compared with before intervention ( t = 8.50 , 9.04, 7.35; 7.39, 10.30, 11.05; 4.67, 4.46, 14.14, P <0.01). Compared with before the intervention, children aged 6-8 in the control group only had significant differences in space perception( t =4.13, 6.71, 8.93, P <0.01).@*Conclusion@#Functional sports games can improve depth perception, orientation perception and spatial perception for children aged 6-8 years. It can be integrated into children s daily activities to play a positive role in promoting the healthy growth of children.

Estimación de la percepción de distancia durante la locomoción / Estimação da percepção de distância durante a locomoção / Distance perception estimation during locomotion

En este artículo de revisión abordamos el problema de la percepción de distancia durante la locomoción. La misma implica una construcción mental del entorno que nos rodea que debe ser realizada de una manera rápida y precisa, pues la información es crucial para poder interactuar correctamente con el ambiente y los objetos que se encuentran en él. En buena parte del tiempo nosotros y el mundo que nos rodea nos encontramos en un continuo movimiento relativo, por lo que nuestra experiencia perceptual estaría moldeada por las complejas interacciones entre la información provista por los sentidos y por la percepción del propio movimiento. El tratar de adquirir datos de la percepción de distancia con el observador en movimiento implica requerimientos diferentes a la situación cuando se encuentra estático. Ello lleva buscar soluciones y nuevas alternativas metodológicas. Esto es ejemplificado a partir de los trabajos experimentales realizados utilizando la cinta de correr como plataforma de investigación en campo abierto.

Neste artigo de revisão, abordamos o problema da percepção da distância durante a locomoção. Isto implica uma construção mental do ambiente que nos rodeia, que deve ser realizada de maneira rápida e precisa, pois a informação é crucial para poder interagir corretamente com o ambiente e com os objetos encontrados nele. Na maior parte do tempo, nós e o mundo à nossa volta estamos em um movimento relativo contínuo, sendo nossa experiência perceptiva moldada pelas complexas interações entre as informações fornecidas pelos sentidos e pela percepção do próprio movimento. Tentar adquirir dados de percepção de distância com o observador em movimento implica requisitos diferentes para a situação quando ela é estática. Isso leva à busca de soluções e novas alternativas metodológicas. Isso é exemplificado pelo trabalho experimental realizado com a esteira como plataforma de pesquisa em campo aberto.

In this review article we address the problem of distance perception during locomotion. It implies a mental construction of the environment that surrounds us that must be carried out in a fast and precise way, since this information is crucial to be able to correctly interact with the environment and the objects in it. In much of the time we and the world around us are in a continuous relative movement, so our perceptual experience would be shaped by the complex interactions between the information provided by the senses and by the perception of our movement itself. Trying to acquire distance perception data with the observer in motion implies different requirements to the situation when it is static. This leads to seeking solutions and new methodological alternatives. This is exemplified from the experimental work carried out using the treadmill as a research platform in the open field.

Avaliação da vertical visual subjetiva em adultos jovens / Evaluation of subjective visual vertical in young adults

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar a vertical visual subjetiva em indivíduos adultos jovens sem queixas vestibulares e/ou alterações do equilíbrio corporal. Método Estudo do tipo observacional, descritivo, analítico, de delineamento transversal, no qual foram avaliados 50 adultos jovens, com idade entre 18 e 30 anos. Foram excluídos do estudo indivíduos com alteração neurológica, alteração cognitiva evidente, deficiência física que influenciasse no equilíbrio corporal, alteração visual sem uso de lentes corretivas, uso de medicamentos com ação sobre o sistema nervoso central e/ou vestibular, relato de ingestão alcoólica 24 horas antes da avaliação e indivíduos com alterações e/ou queixas vestibulares. Os participantes foram submetidos à anamnese e à avaliação da vertical visual subjetiva, por meio do teste do balde. O teste foi realizado em três condições sensoriais diferentes: 1- Indivíduo sentado, com os dois pés sobre superfície estável (piso de paviflex); 2- Indivíduo sentado, com os pés em cima de uma espuma; 3- Indivíduo em pé sobre uma espuma. Resultados A vertical visual subjetiva não apresentou diferença significativa (p= 0,93) entre as condições sensoriais estudadas. Conclusão Em adultos jovens hígidos, o sistema proprioceptivo não influenciou significativamente a avaliação da vertical visual subjetiva, realizada por meio do teste do balde.

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate subjective visual vertical in young adults without vestibular complaints and/or body balance problems. Methods This was a descriptive cross-sectional, observational and analytical study that assessed 50 young adults aged 18 to 30 years. Adult were excluded from the study if they had neurological and cognitive disorders, physical disability that affected their balance, visual impairment with no use of corrective lenses, use of drugs with effects on the central nervous system and/or the vestibular system and self-report of alcoholic use 24 hours before the assessment, and adults with vestibular problems and/or complaints The participants answered questions in a medical history interview and underwent subjective visual vertical assessment with the bucket method. The test was performed under three different sensory conditions: 1 - Subjects sitting with both feet on a stable surface (Paviflex® flooring); 2- Subjects sitting with their feet on top of foam; 3- Subjects on top of foam. Results The subjective visual vertical did not show a significant difference (p = 0.93) among the study sensory conditions. Conclusion The proprioceptive system did not significantly influence the measurement of the subjective visual vertical in young healthy adults.

Three theories for reconciling the linearity of egocentric distance perception with distortion of shape on the ground plane

The focus here is on the paradoxical finding that whereas visually perceived egocentric distance is proportional to physical distance out to at least 20 m under full-cue viewing, there are large distortions of shape within the same range, reflecting a large anisotropy of depth and frontal extents on the ground plane. Three theories of visual space perception are presented, theories that are relevant to understanding this paradoxical result. The theory by Foley, Ribeiro-Filho, and Da Silva is based on the idea that when the visual system computes the length of a visible extent, the effective visual angle is a non-linear increasing function of the actual visual angle. The theory of Durgin and Li is based on the idea that two angular measures, optical slant and angular declination, are over-perceived. The theory of Ooi and He is based on both a default perceptual representation of the ground surface in the absence of visual cues and the "sequential surface integration process" whereby an internal representation of the visible ground surface is constructed starting from beneath the observer's feet and extending outward.

Angular scale expansion theory and the misperception of egocentric distance in locomotor space

Perception is crucial for the control of action, but perception need not be scaled accurately to produce accurate actions. This paper reviews evidence for an elegant new theory of locomotor space perception that is based on the dense coding of angular declination so that action control may be guided by richer feedback. The theory accounts for why so much direct-estimation data suggests that egocentric distance is underestimated despite the fact that action measures have been interpreted as indicating accurate perception. Actions are calibrated to the perceived scale of space and thus action measures are typically unable to distinguish systematic (e.g., linearly scaled) misperception from accurate perception. Whereas subjective reports of the scaling of linear extent are difficult to evaluate in absolute terms, study of the scaling of perceived angles (which exist in a known scale, delimited by vertical and horizontal) provides new evidence regarding the perceptual scaling of locomotor space.

Humans tend to walk in circles as directed by memorized visual locations at large distances

Human veering while walking blindfolded or walking straight without any visual cues has been widely studied over the last 100 years, but the results are still controversial. The present study attempted to describe and understand the human ability to maintain the direction of a trajectory while walking without visual or audio cues with reference to a proposed mathematical model and using data collected by a global positioning system (GPS). Fifteen right-handed people of both genders, aged 18-30 years, walked without vision in an open field directly toward a target after seeing it for a brief period of time. Time and distance were directly measured by the GPS receiver. The mathematical analysis indicated that both linear and angular velocities determined the shape of the trajectory. Careful observation of the trajectories clearly showed a geometrical pattern, and the circular trajectory was the most frequent. Such behavior can be explained by the almost constant linear and angular velocity during the walk. From the perspective of the mathematical model, angular velocity is the observable physical quantity that most determines the trajectory pattern. One can notice that better performance (i.e., lower angular velocity) is related to longer distances when comparing an individual's circular trajectory walking performance as a function of different target distances (i.e., 30.00, 41.60, 57.69, and 80.00 m).

Independence of egocentric and exocentric direction processing in visual space

One major issue concerning investigations of visual perception is determination of the geometrical properties of visual space. To address this issue, one must determine the relationships between geometrical features of visual space, distance, direction, angle, and size. Consistent evidence indicates that visual angle is a determinant of perceived exocentric distance. Previous evidence suggests that exocentric distance and direction are hierarchically processed, with distance preceding direction. The present study investigated the relationship between the perceptual processing of egocentric direction and exocentric direction using a task that independently provides both perceptual variables in a single judgment. The results indicated that egocentric directions were systematically overestimated, and this was not caused by either the global shape of the layout or leg length effects. Exocentric directions presented a discontinuous pattern of overestimation of smaller angles that were subtended by radial orientations and accuracy of right angles that were subtended by horizontal orientations. This could be explained by the anisotropy of visual space, a well-established phenomenon from visual space studies. The analysis of the association between the processing of these two variables revealed independence between them in which exocentric direction processing did not depend on the processing of egocentric direction processing, and vice versa. The present results and prior evidence converge on the notion of hierarchical processing in which the visual system processes the egocentric distance of objects followed by exocentric distance processing and subsequent processing. The precise positions of egocentric and exocentric directions in this chain of processing remain to be determined.

Discriminación auditiva, exploración visual y desarrollo del esquema corporal y espacial en tenistas y no practicantes de deporte / Auditory discrimination, visual scanning, space and body schemes development in tennis players and non-athletes subjects

Antecedentes. El movimiento corporal humano depende de la generación de modelos internos de cuerpo y espacio, así como de sus interacciones con todos los insumos alocéntricos, propiocéntricos y geocéntricos que los determinan. Objetivo. Describir comparativamente la exploración visual, discriminación auditiva, esquema corporal y esquema espacial en un grupo de deportistas tenistas de alto rendimiento y otro de sujetos no deportistas. Materiales y métodos. Investigación descriptiva comparativa de dos grupos (tenistas y no deportistas), diseño transversal, en el cual se realizó la evaluación de las condiciones de la exploración visual, discriminación auditiva, esquema corporal y espacial en un grupo de tenistas y uno de individuos que no practicaban regularmente un deporte con edades entre los 14 y los 18 años. Resultados. A pesar de que ambos grupos obtuvieron resultados que pueden considerarse normales, en algunos ítems del esquema corporal tales como ubicación espacial (diferencia de 10%), continuidad del trazo (14% de diferencia), anatomía (4% de diferencia), el desempeño del grupo de deportistas fue superior al de no deportistas; igual sucede en relación al esquema espacial, en el cual los deportistas tuvieron desempeño superior comparado con los no deportistas que estuvo en rango normales o buenos. Conclusión. El desarrollo de la capacidad visoespacial y de discriminación auditiva, en especial de la profundidad, y los grados de exploración del campo visual proporcionan a los deportistas regulares una noción de orientación espacial más precisa. El nivel de entrenamiento deportivo en campo y los resultados deportivos obtenidos pueden relacionarse con respuestas más favorables.

Background. The understanding of corporal movement as a product of complex relationships requires an approach to body and space internal models and their interactions with allocentric, geocentric and propiocentrics inputs. Objective. To describe the comparative visual scanning, auditory discrimination, body and spatial schemes in a group of high performance tennis players and in a group of non-athletes. Materials and methods. Comparative descriptive study of two groups (tennis players and non-athletes), with a crossover design, in which were evaluated the conditions of visual scanning, auditory discrimination, body and spatial schemes. The subjects were ranged between 14-18 years of age. Results. It is found that although both groups scored could be considered normal, in some items of body schema, such as spatial location (a difference of 10%), stroke continuity (14% difference), anatomy (4% difference) performance of athletes was higher than non-athletes. The same happens in relation to spatial scheme, in which the ability and development of auditory discrimination, specially the spatial depth perception and the degree of visual scanning of the space, athletes had superior performance compared to that of non-athletes who were in normal range or good. Conclusion. There is a higher visuospatial, with better orientation in the space and a better and more precise body scheme in the athletes group. Added to this, the training sports level and sports performance, may be related to visual and auditory function and its relation to internal models.

Neuropsychological aspects of 10-year-old children / Aspectos neuropsicológicos de crianças de 10 anos de idade

OBJECTIVE: To characterize neuropsychological aspects of 10-yearold children. METHOD: Out of 30 children, 26 cognitively normal 10-year-old public school students answered tests extracted from Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery: Children's Revision. The study was transversal. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis were carried out. RESULTS: Most of the 10-year-old children retold a story (69.2%), understood it making correct inference (84.6%) and reproduced it adequately in writing (76.9%) - 14.9% was the average number of incorrectly written words and 0.179 was the errors per written word coefficient. Besides, 53.8% showed logical thought process and 73.1% had a correct notion of "x more than...". They got five out of eight in the visuo-spatial test, an intermediary result. These results show that the tertiary areas of units II and III are developed in most 10-year-old children. The most frequent types of written mistakes were: oral influence (26.3%), multiple representation (22.5%) and omission (18.4%). As to coding principles, the mostly uncomplied with rule was vowel nasalization at end of syllable (23,53%). CONCLUSIONS: Ten-year-old children in the studied population understood and reproduced a story orally and in writing with a low coefficient error/word. The majority completed the visuospatial tests and presented logical thought process. When "x more than..." notion is absent it may be an indicator that all is not well in the reading/writing process.

OBJETIVO: Caracterizar os aspectos neuropsicológicos de crianças de 10 anos. MÉTODOS: De um total de 30 crianças, 26 estudantes de 10 anos de escola pública, que haviam se revelado cognitivamente adequados nas Matrizes Progressivas de Raven, responderam a questões extraídas e adaptadas da Bateria Neuropsicológica Luria-Nebraska: Versão Infantil. O estudo foi transversal. Foi usada análise estatística descritiva e inferencial. RESULTADOS: A maioria das crianças recontou a história (69,2%), fez sua inferência mostrando tê-la compreendido (84,6%) e a reproduziu adequadamente por escrito (76,9%). Em média, apresentaram 14,9% de palavras escritas incorretamente e coeficiente de 0,179 erros/palavra escrita. Além disso, 53,8% tiveram raciocínio lógico e 73,1% tinham uma noção de "a mais". Responderam cinco de oito no teste visuo-espacial, sendo este um resultado intermediário. Esse desempenho atesta que, aos dez anos, as áreas terciárias da unidade II e III, estão desenvolvidas na maioria das crianças. Tipos de erros grafêmicos mais frequentes: oralidade (26,3%), representação múltipla (22,5%) e omissão (18,4%). A regra referente à nasalização da vogal em final de sílaba não final de vocábulo foi a mais desrespeitada (23,53%). CONCLUSÃO: Estudantes de 10 anos da população estudada compreenderam e reproduziram oralmente e por escrito uma história com baixo coeficiente de erros/palavra escrita. A maioria respondeu à prova visuo-espacial e apresentou raciocínio lógico. A ausência de noção de "a mais" pode ser um preditor de inadequação de leitura/escrita.

Contexto de desenvolvimento e a percepção espacial de crianças / Environment of development and children's spatial perception

Mudanças na estrutura social dos contextos onde a criança participa podem influenciar o desenvolvimento da percepção espacial. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar os contextos de desenvolvimento e a percepção espacial de crianças, fundamentado na Teoria Bioecológica de Bronfenbrenner. O questionário de Machado (2008) foi utilizado com 60 crianças. Os resultados mostraram que a preferência pelo local de lazer está relacionada com a estrutura física, segurança, falta de autonomia das crianças, transporte e lugares frequentados pelos pais. Verificou-se que a percepção espacial das crianças está relacionada aos locais frequentados por elas como, a casa, a escola e o próprio bairro.

Structural changes in social contexts where children participate may influence the development of spatial perception. The aim of this children's was to investigate the contexts of development and spatial perception of children's, based on the Bioecological theory of Bronfenbrenner. The questionnaire of Machado (2008) was applied in 60 students. The results showed the preference for leisure place is related to physical structure, security, lack of autonomy of c hildren, transportation and places frequented by parents. The spatial perception of children is related to places frequented by them as home, school and the neighborhood.

Los cambios estructurales en los contextos sociales donde los niños participan pueden influenciar en el desarrollo de la percepción espacial. EI objetivo de este estudio fue investigar los contextos del desarrollo y la percepción espacial de los niños basados en la teoria Bioecologica de Bronfenbrenner. EI cuestionario Machado (2008) fue utilizado con 60 estudiantes. Los resultados mostraron que la preferencia por el ocio local está relacionada con la estructura fisica, la seguridad, la falta de autonomia de los ninos, el transporte y los sitios frecuentados por los padres. Se encontró que la percepción espacial de los ninos está relacionada con los sitios frecuentados por ellos, como por ejemplo, la casa, la escuela y el propio bário.

Visuospatial-visuoconstructional ability in mild cognitive impairment / 中华神经科杂志

Objective To investigate visuospatial-visuoconstructional ability in patients with mild cognitive impairment(MCI).Methods The subjects were divided into three groups:122(51 males and 71 females)in the normal control group; 205(95 males and 110 females)in the MCI group,including 133 amnestic MCI(aMCI)and 72 non-amnestic MCI(naMCI),and 75(36 males and 39 females)in the Alzheimer' s disease(AD)group.The subjects were assessed for visuospatial-visuoconstructional ability by three tests:Rey-Osterrieth Complement Fixation Test(CFT),Clock Drawing Task(CDT),and Stick Test.Mini-mental State Examination(MMSE)was also performed in all groups.SPSS 11.5 statistical software was used for statistic analysis; Chi-square test was used to analyze enumeration data; One-way analysis of variance was used in pairwise comparison between the groups,and Bonferroni and LSD methods were used for multiple comparison.Results(1)The average MMSE score in the normal control group,MCI group and AD group was 28.24 ± 1.74,27.39 ± 1.83 and 19.98 ±3.23,respectively.(2)In the normal control group,either CFT imitating score or total CDT score had no obvious correlation with age or education,while Stick Test-Rotating part(STR)was correlated with age(r =-0.179,P ＜ 0.05),but had no significant correlation with education.(3)There were correlations between CFT imitating score and total CDT score (r =0.337),CFT imitating score and STR(r =0.232),and total CDT score and STR(r =0.235).The correlations were statistically significant(P ＜ 0.01).(4)CFT imitating and total CDT showed the greatest correlation with Trail Making Test B and Stroop Color Word Test Card C time consumption,an indicator of executive function.STR had greatest correlation with Auditory Verbal Learning Test,an index of memory.There were significant differences in CFT imitating,total CDT score and STR among the normal,MCI and AD groups(P ＜ 0.01).(5)STR is a more informative test to be used in diagnosis of MCI than CFT imitating and total CDT score,as shown by comparison of these tests in three subjects groups.Conclusion Visuospatial-visuoconstructional ability impairment is one of the symptoms of MCI.In detection of MCI,the assessment of space rotating ability is better than CFT imitating and total CDT score.

Prism adaptation for unilateral spatial neglect / 国际脑血管病杂志

Unilateral spatial neglect is an important factor for affecting the brain damage,especially in patients with functional recovery after stroke.Seeking for the effective rehabilitation measles of unilateral spatial neglect has an important significance for improving the quality of life in patients.Currently,prism adaptation is the most widely used and well-studied treatment for unilateral spatial neglect,however,there is less domestic research in this field.This article reviews the advances in research on the therapeutic mechanism of prism adaptation for unilateral spatial neglect,the application in unilateral spatial neglect after stroke as well as its efficacy.

Visual working memory impairment in 30 patients with myasthenia gravis / 中华神经科杂志

Objective To investigate the situation of visual memory impairment in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG).Methods Thirty MG patients and 28 normal control subjects were tested with a battery of computerized tests (modified Smith working memory software), which was designed to assess visual-spatial and visual-object working memory.Results There was no significant difference in the accuracy rate of visual-object working memory test between the MG group and normal controls (MG group 73.4% ±9.7%, normal controls 72.7% ±8.5%).The accuracy rate of the visual-spatial working memory test in the MG group (76.6% ± 16.5%) was significantly lower than that in the normal controls (86.6% ±7.5%, Z = -2.204, P = 0.028).Conclusion The visual-spatial working memory is probably impaired while the visual-object working memory is relatively spared in MG patients.

Julgamento de colinearidade e percepção de distância exocêntrica em campo aberto / Judgment of collinearity and exocentric distance perception in open field / Évaluation de colinéarité et de la perception de la distance exocentrique en champ ouvert / Juicio de colinearidad y percepción de distancia exocéntrica en campo abierto

O propósito foi investigar experimentalmente o desempenho dos observadores numa original tarefa de julgamento de colinearidade em campo aberto (dimensões 20 x 30 m). Participaram do experimento 30 observadores. Os estímulos foram estacas verticais de alturas variáveis, quatro fixos e quatro móveis. A tarefa consistiu em ajustar os dois estímulos móveis (mediante controle à distância) para que ficassem colineares aos dos estímulos fixos nos extremos de cada diagonal. Foi realizada uma análise de variância (ANOVA) fatorial sobre os erros de colinearidade, revelando somente efeito significativo para o fator ‘Estímulo Móvel’ (F(3,473)=69,86 p<0,001) notando-se uma sistemática na distribuição dos erros. As pequenas variações na distância exocêntrica percebida (com erros constantes dez vezes menores que os encontrados ao avaliar as distâncias egocêntricas) e a relação dos erros cometidos com as distâncias egocêntricas indicariam que o marco de referência eliciado por esta tarefa de colinearidade, embora possa estar baseado nos indícios exocêntricos, é escalado por um fator egocêntrico.

The purpose was to investigate experimentally the observers´ performance in an original task based on judgments of collinearity in the open field (dimensions 20 x 30 m). Thirty subjects participated in the experiment. The stimuli were vertical stakes of different heights, four fixed and four movable. The task was to adjust the two moving stimuli (via a remote control) in order to put them collinear with the other two stimuli fixed on the ends of each diagonal. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was carry on, revealing only an significant effect for the factor ‘Mobile Stimulus’ (F(3,473)=69,86 p<0,001) and a systematicity on the distribution of errors. The small variations in the perceived exocentric distance (with constant errors ten times lower than those found when assessing the egocentric distance) and the relationship with the errors made when estimating the egocentric distances may indicate that the frames of reference elicited by this task of colinearity, although it may be based on exocentric cues, is scaled by an egocentric factor.

Le but était d'étudier expérimentalement les performances d'observateurs pour évaluer la colinéarité en plein champ (dimensions 20 x 30 m). 30 observateurs ont participé à l'expérience. Les stimuli ont été pieux verticaux de différentes hauteurs, quatre fixes et quatre mobiles. La tâche consistait à ajuster les deux stimuli en mouvement (par l'intermédiaire d'une télécommande) afin de mettre les deux stimuli colinéaires fixées sur les extrémités de chaque diagonale. Une analyse de variance (ANOVA) des erreurs de colinéarité révélé un effet significatif seulement pour les stimulation de mobile le facteur (F(3,473) = 69,86 p <0,001) et une cohérence dans la distribution des erreurs. Les erreurs dans la perception de la distance exocentrique sont beaucoup plus petits que ceux de la distance égocentrique. Cette relation semble indiquer que le cadre générés par cette tâche de colinéarité, même si elle peut être fondée sur la preuve exocentrique, est multipliée par un facteur égocentrique.

El propósito fue investigar experimentalmente el desempeño de los observadores en una original tarea de juicio de colinearidad en campo abierto (dimensiones 20 x 30 m). Participaron del experimento 30 observadores. Los estímulos fueron estacas verticales de alturas variables, cuatro fijos y cuatro móviles. La tarea consistió en ajustar los dos estímulos móviles (mediante un control a distancia) para que quedaran colineares a los estímulos fijos en los extremos de cada diagonal. Se realizó un análisis de varianza (ANOVA) factorial de los errores de colinearidad, revelando solamente un efecto significativo para el factor ‘Estímulo móvil’ (F(3,473)=69,86 p<0,001) y una sistematicidad en la distribución de los errores. Las pequeñas variaciones en la distancia exocéntrica percibida (con errores constantes diez veces menores que los encontrados al evaluar las distancias egocéntricas) y la relación de los errores cometidos con las distancias egocéntricas indicarían que el marco de referencia suscitado por esta tarea de colinearidad, aunque pueda estar basado en los indicios exocéntricos, es escalado por un factor egocéntrico.

Estudo da utilização de pistas visuais na orientação espacial de um paciente com doença de Alzheimer / Study of the use of visual cues in spatial orientation of a patient with Alzheimer's disease

Objetivo - A doença de Alzheimer (DA) é uma síndrome demencial progressiva caracterizada pela perda da memória, de funções cognitivas e alterações de comportamento que prejudicam o desempenho social, ocupacional e a execução das atividades diárias dos pacientes acometidos. Uma alteração característica da DA é o comprometimento da Memória de Orientação Espacial (MOE). A MOE armazena informações que possibilitam ao indivíduo a orientar-se espacialmente em diversos ambientes, seja dentro de sua casa ou até mesmo na própria vizinhança. O objetivo do estudo foi verificar se pacientes com DA são capazes de orientar-se espacialmente em diferentes ambientes com a utilização de pistas visuais externas. Métodos - Foi realizado um estudo caso-controle de um paciente com diagnóstico médico de DA no estágio inicial, que foi submetido a uma série de testes de orientação espacial com diferentes níveis de pistas visuais externas. Foram analisados o tempo de realização e o número de erros. Estes dados foram comparados com os de um sujeito controle da mesma idade sem patologias associadas. Resultados - O paciente apresentou maior tempo na realização das tarefas de orientação espacial em todas as condições sem aferência visual quando comparada ao controle, além de apresentar dificuldades em estabelecer relação espacial direita e esquerda.Conclusão - O paciente com DA estudado apresentou pior desempenho que o sujeito controle nas atividades de orientação espacial em situações onde não havia pistas visuais.

Objective - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive dementia characterized by memory loss, cognitive functions and behavior changes that undermine the social, occupational and execution of daily activities of affected patients. A change characteristic of AD is the impairment of spatial orientation memory (SOM). The SOM stores information enabling the individual to orient themselves spatially in different environments, either inside your home or even in their own neighborhood. The objective of this study was to determine whether patients with AD are able to orient themselves spatially in different environments with the use of external visual cues. Methods - We performed a case-control study of a patient with a medical diagnosis of AD in the initial stage, which has undergone a series of tests of spatial orientation with different levels of external visual cues. We analyzed the timing of completion and number of errors. These data were compared with those of a control subject of similar age without associated diseases. Results - The patient had more time in the tasks of spatial orientation in all conditions without afferent visual compared to the control, and presents difficulties in establishing spatial relationships right and left. Conclusion - The patient with AD studied showed worse performance than the control subject in the activities of spatial orientation in situations where there was no visual clue.

A afecção vestibular infantil: estudo da orientação espacial / Vestibular disorders in childhood: study of spatial disorders

OBJETIVO: verificar como é a percepção do espaço na criança com vertigem periférica. MÉTODOS: estudo prospectivo de 18 crianças, com faixa etária de três a 15 anos, sob acompanhamento no Ambulatório de Otorrinolaringologia / Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo. A percepção espacial foi avaliada por meio de atividade livre (desenho livre) e dirigida (blocos lógicos e teste de Frostig). Das 18 crianças avaliadas, nove constituíram o grupo estudo (diagnóstico de vestibulopatia e queixa de tontura) e nove constituíram o grupo controle (sem história de vestibulopatia e sem queixa de tontura). Foram excluídas crianças que apresentassem comprometimento de Sistema Nervoso Central que interferisse na interpretação da avaliação. Os resultados obtidos foram comparados entre o grupo estudo e controle qualitativamente. RESULTADOS: em relação ao desenho livre, 77,78 por cento das crianças do grupo controle e 55,55 por cento do grupo estudo utilizaram o papel inteiro. Quanto à proporção dos objetos, 100 por cento das crianças do grupo controle e apenas 48,86 por cento das crianças do grupo estudo desenharam com proporção adequada. Nos blocos lógicos, houve maior dificuldade do grupo estudo. No teste de Frostig, foi observada diferença significativa do ponto de vista clínico entre os grupos quanto ao Quociente Perceptual. CONCLUSÃO: as crianças com vestibulopatia, ao desenhar, aproveitaram o papel de forma menos homogênea, com maior dificuldade para desenhar figuras humanas e proporção inadequada entre os objetos. Desta forma, é importante que seja realizado o diagnóstico de vestibulopatia precocemente, para que o tratamento/reabilitação seja iniciado e sintomas, como a desorientação espacial, não influenciem na aprendizagem da criança.

PURPOSE: to check how is the child's spatial perception in vestibular disorder. METHODS: prospective study of 18 children, between 3 and 15-year old, under treatment in Ambulatório de Otorrinolaringologia/Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo. Space perception was assessed through a free activity (free drawing) and two directed activities: the Frostig test and an adaptation of the Token Test. Of the 18 evaluated children, 09 composed the study group (diagnosed as having a vestibular disorder) and 09 composed the control group (with no history of vestibular disorder or dizziness). Children who showed central nervous system impairments were excluded. RESULTS: in relation to the free drawing, 77.78 percent of the control group and 55.55 percent in the study group used the whole sheet of paper provided. Regarding the proportion of the objects, 100 percent of the control group showed an adequate proportion in their drawings and it was found in 48.86 percent of the study group. In the adapted Token Test, the study group showed a major difficulty. In the Frostig test, a small difference between the groups in the Perceptual quotient was observed. CONCLUSION: the children with vestibular disorders, while drawing, used the sheet of paper in a less homogeneous way, showing more difficulty to draw human pictures and an inadequate proportion among the drawn objects. In this way, it is important that the vestibular diagnosis should be done the earliest possible in order to anticipate the treatment/rehabilitation. This may prevent the impairment of spatial perception from negatively influencing the learning process.

Visuospatial Cognitive Characteristics and Behavior Problem in Children with Nonverbal Learning Disabilities / 中国心理卫生杂志

Objective:This investigation examined the relationship between visuospatial cognitive char-acteristics and behavior problems in Chinese children with nonverbal learning disabilities.Methods:Partici-pants (N=120, among 6~12 year-old) included children with NLD (N=40) and children with VLD (N=40), as well as comparison normal children (N=40) with no psychiatric history. Participants were assessed with the following measures: the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (C-WISC), Draw-a-person test and CB-CL. The visuospatial cognitive ability and behavior problems were analyzed.Results:The child with NLD showed abnormality in the aspects of spatial ability, visual-movement coordination and speed, sketch percep-tion, vision memory, nonverbal reasoning and vision combination, compared with the other groups (p

PERSONAL SPACE PERCEPTION IN HUMANS / 体力科学

To examine personal space perception, a method of identifying joint position was determined by having the subject equally bisect the joint angle, by producing a minimum increment in change of position and by selecting a threshold for two-point discrimination using the metacarpophalangeal joint of digits 2-5.<BR>Eight healthy adults (6 males and 2 females) were used as subjects. The subjects' eyes were covered at all times to prevent any visual feedback.<BR>Each metacarpophalangeal joint of digits 2-5 was extended, flexed and pointed to the bisection position in 6 sec (about 2 sec in each position) . The difference in the bisection position selected using the index finger with the shoulder, elbow and hand in variety of positions was determined. The deviation from the mid-bisection point and the standard deviation were less when the hand was positioned most comfortably and near the face (“natural and near”) than when the hand was positioned in the more uncomfortable position and further from the face (“unnatural and further”) .<BR>In a second test, the index finger was moved from full extension to the full flexion in increments as small as possible at a rate of one change in position per second. Again, the effect of arm position was determined.<BR>In case of“the natural and near”position, each increment in joint position was smaller than in“the unnatural and further”position.<BR>In“the natural and near”position, the two point threshold was smallest of all. It was measured at the thumb side of right palm in the proximo-distal direction.<BR>These results suggest that personal space perception of metacarpophalangeal joint is affected by the position of adjoining limb segments.

Personal space perception in humans. Bisection and minimum division of the range of motion in finger joint, and the threshold for two-point discrimination / 体力科学

To examine personal space perception, a method of identifying joint position was determined by having the subject equally bisect the joint angle, by producing a minimum increment in change of position and by selecting a threshold for two-point discrimination using the metacarpophalangeal joint of digits 2-5.<BR>Eight healthy adults (6 males and 2 females) were used as subjects. The subjects' eyes were covered at all times to prevent any visual feedback.<BR>Each metacarpophalangeal joint of digits 2-5 was extended, flexed and pointed to the bisection position in 6 sec (about 2 sec in each position) . The difference in the bisection position selected using the index finger with the shoulder, elbow and hand in variety of positions was determined. The deviation from the mid-bisection point and the standard deviation were less when the hand was positioned most comfortably and near the face (“natural and near”) than when the hand was positioned in the more uncomfortable position and further from the face (“unnatural and further”) .<BR>In a second test, the index finger was moved from full extension to the full flexion in increments as small as possible at a rate of one change in position per second. Again, the effect of arm position was determined.<BR>In case of“the natural and near”position, each increment in joint position was smaller than in“the unnatural and further”position.<BR>In“the natural and near”position, the two point threshold was smallest of all. It was measured at the thumb side of right palm in the proximo-distal direction.<BR>These results suggest that personal space perception of metacarpophalangeal joint is affected by the position of adjoining limb segments.